By Spy Uganda Correspondent
South Africa’s Constitutional Court has sentenced former President Jacob Zuma to 15 months in prison for contempt. Zuma was found guilty by the country’s highest court after he defied its order to appear at a corruption inquiry.
Zuma failed to appear at the inquiry led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in February after which the inquiry’s lawyers approached the constitutional court to seek an order for his imprisonment.
The inquiry is examining allegations of high-level graft during Zuma’s period in power from 2009 to 2018. Zuma denied wrongdoing and has so far not cooperated.
“Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is sentenced to undergo 15 months’ imprisonment,” a constitutional court judge said, reading out the court’s order.
Zuma has to appear before police within five days, the judge added.
The allegations against Zuma include that he allowed businessmen close to him, brothers Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta to plunder state resources and influence policy.
The Guptas, who also deny wrongdoing, left South Africa after Zuma was ousted in a move orchestrated by allies of his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa has been trying to restore investor confidence in Africa’s most industrialized nation, however, he has faced opposition from a faction within the governing African National Congress party that is still loyal to Zuma.
